Cody Unser First Step news 2010-02-08

CUFSF: PVA Announces Partnership with The Cody Unser First Step
There's Something in the Water at the Aquarium of the Pacific!
Long Beach, CA. It was a magical day at the Aquarium of The Pacific for
Cody Unser and the Operation Deep...

CUFSF: PVA Announces Partnership with The Cody Unser First Step
There's Something in the Water at the Aquarium of the Pacific!

Long Beach, CA. It was a magical day at the Aquarium of The Pacific for
Cody Unser and the Operation Deep Down Dive Team. They were poised in the
"Waters of the Pacific" display as Cody spoke to the audience during
a demonstration on Adaptive Scuba. After the presentation, Cody and her
team were surprised by Al Kovach, Jr., Paralyzed Veterans National Vice
President, as he announced that the PVA would be partnering with The Cody
Unser First Step Foundation on several events in 2010 to empower veterans
with disabilities.

Please join us as we celebrate this new partnership with the PVA!
We are both excited and honored.

***

Paralyzed Veterans of America Honorary Member Cody Unser Shows that
Scuba Diving Is Accessible for People with Disabilities

Long Beach, CA - Her famous dad, Al Unser, Jr., broke records in the
world of motorsports, but now Cody Unser is becoming famous in her own
right - breaking down barriers for people with disabilities especially in
the area of scuba diving.

Unser, who is paralyzed due to transverse myelitis and is an honorary
member of Paralyzed Veterans of America (Paralyzed Veterans), will
demonstrate her diving skills this weekend at the Festival of Human
Abilities, Saturday January 23, Noon, PST at the Aquarium of the Pacific,
Long Beach, California. Through the foundation that bears her name, Unser
looks forward to expanding the scuba diving experience to paralyzed
veterans through "Operation Deep Down, " the military version
of "Cody's Great Scuba Adventure," which pairs
experienced and specially trained instructors with divers with
disabilities.

Paralyzed Veterans National Vice President, Al Kovach, Jr., a former U.S.
Navy SEAL, hadn't been diving since a serious injury brought his
military career to an end. That was until he and some other members of
Paralyzed Veterans joined Unser for an Operation Deep Down scuba dive
introduction last year in Pennsylvania.

"As a SEAL, scuba was an important part of my job. When I was
injured, I never thought I would ever be able to experience that great
feeling of weightlessness again. Cody helped break that barrier for me,
and we look forward to expanding this empowering experience to many more
paralyzed veterans." Kovach will join Unser for this
weekend's scuba demonstration at the festival - which celebrates
the creative spirit of people with disabilities. Paralyzed Veterans and
the Cody Unser First Step Foundation will be partnering this year on
several events to empower veterans with disabilities.

Presenters at the festival will also include Colours ‘N'
Motion, a wheelchair hip hop dance group; Dat Nguyen, a blind guitarist
for the band Bayadera; singer Kodi Lee, who is blind and autistic; and
Love in Motion, a sign language choir. Singer Deborah Turner will present
a tribute to the life of Wheely Willy, a paraplegic dog. Glenn McIntyre,
a nationally known keynote speaker, will be the master of ceremonies, and
his canine assistant Zander will demonstrate his amazing skills. In
addition, Tommy Hollenstein, an artist who has quadriplegia, will
demonstrate his painting techniques using the wheels of his wheelchair.
All major programming will have sign language interpreters for guests who
are deaf, and the Aquarium will provide audio tours for guests who are
blind. Extra elevators and assistance dog relief areas will be available.